Lauder's historic achitecture surveyed

9 June 2008

Historic Scotland inspectors are to visit Lauder parish in the Scottish Borders to identify the area’s important buildings and to review existing listings.

The team will visit locations throughout the parish looking for buildings that merit listing and giving a fresh appraisal of structures already on the list. This will ensure that all buildings in the area have the appropriate statutory protection.

Head of Listing, Dr Deborah Mays, said:
“Whilst the burgh of Lauder was resurveyed in 2005, the wider parish has not been comprehensively surveyed since 1971. The parish has a long history of farming and other rural pursuits, which is evidenced in the architectural landscape.”

Buildings are listed at one of three categories – A, B and C(S) – reflecting their level of importance. Once a structure is listed, alterations that may affect its character will require listed building consent before work can begin.

When the team has identified buildings of interest they will contact the local authority and, where possible, the owner. A building must have special architectural or historic interest to be considered for listing and Historic Scotland would welcome information from members of the public.

Dr Mays added: “The resurvey will highlight buildings of special importance whose interest should be maintained as far as possible. It will also refresh existing listings and ensure that the lists are fit for purpose.”

Following consultation with Scottish Borders Council, Historic Scotland will then make a recommendation to Scottish Ministers to include buildings on the list that meet the criteria.

For more information on the resurvey contact the lists officer on 0131 668 8705/ 8701.

Notes to Editors

1. Listed buildings are divided into three categories:

A – Buildings of national or international importance – either architectural or historic – or fine little-altered examples of some particular period, style or type.

B – Buildings of regional or more than local importance, major examples of a particular period, style or type that may have been altered.

C(S) – Buildings of local importance, lesser examples of any period, style or type as originally constructed or altered. Simple traditional buildings that group well with others in categories A and B are part of a planned group as an estate or an estate or an industrial complex.

2.All buildings erected before 1840, the character of which remains substantially intact, are likely to be included in the list. Later buildings are selected on the basis of their individual character and quality. Special regard is paid to:

planned streets, villages or burghs

works of well known architects

buildings clearly associated with famous people or events

major examples of buildings connected with social and industrial history and the development of communications

distinctive regional variations in design and use of materials

good examples within individual building types; and technological innovation.

3.The list is constantly under review and buildings can be added to the list by three main methods:

By comprehensive re-survey of geographic areas

By thematic study looking at one particular building type (e.g. hospitals)

By individual proposals for buildings to be added to the list.

4.Historic Scotland is an executive agency of the Scottish Government charged with safeguarding the nation’s historic environment. The agency is fully accountable to Scottish Ministers and through them to the Scottish Parliament.